Hiddink relishes going Dutch

Dutchman Guus Hiddink is relishing a clash against Holland after guiding Russia to the quarter-finals of Euro 2008.

Roman Pavlyuchenko and Andrei Arshavin grabbed the goals in the 2-0 win at Innsbruck's Stadion Tivoli Neu, setting up the last-eight clash for the weekend.

Since starting to compete as Russia, in 1992, it is the first time they have made it out of the group stages of a major tournament.

"I know the way we play we get respect because we play with the concepts that football should be played, like Holland," said Hiddink, who was Holland's manager in the mid-1990s.

"I don't know if they fear us but they have five days more rest, which is an advantage.

"It's a special game because I know the players, the coach and more people within the squad I worked with.

"I'm very proud of my team and the progress they have made in the last few days. They play modern football.

"The only criticism you can make is that we don't score enough of the opportunities we created. Nevertheless, this team have made tremendous progress."

Arshavin was back from suspension and was at the heart of Russia's fluent attacking, unlocking Sweden's defence to start the move that led to Pavlyuchenko's 24th-minute opener.

The second goal came just after the break, with Arshavin sliding home after a flowing move.

"Arshavin is a player who can decide very fast where he can create danger, he's a very smart player," Hiddink added. "There was a lack of match fitness but that is the reason why I took him in the 23-man squad - he can make a difference."

Sweden had only needed a point themselves to make it out of Group D but defeat could now signal the end at this stage for some of their older players, including Henrik Larsson.

"A new generation is coming through," said coach Lars Lagerback. "We had a number of younger players in this squad, but it's about picking the best players regardless of their age.

"It's not about age and experience, but the quality of the players."

Lagerback feels Russia could be the surprise package of the latter stages.

He added: "It's difficult to say but they are a very good team, the defeat against Spain didn't show all their qualities. The chance is always there.

"They were better than we were today. We became passive in the first half. In the second half we tried to lift the team higher up the pitch but unfortunately they scored a second goal and it was more of an uphill struggle.

"It's very sad, we haven't experienced this since the tournament in 2000 in Belgium and Holland. I have a very bitter feeling about it."